SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEW : Rebuilding Loyola Expected to Have a Tough Time Repeating

Steve Grady, Loyola High football coach, proved last season that he can win the big game, but few followers believe he can repeat the feat this year.

Grady, 132-38-4 in 15 seasons at Loyola, is coming off his first Southern Section championship, a 24-14 victory over Quartz Hill at Anaheim Stadium.

Facing a tough schedule and with only five starters returning, Loyola is expected to have trouble defending its title. In the Southern Section office’s preseason ratings, the Cubs were No. 6 in Division I, although they are ranked No. 2 by The Times.

“Our goal always is to make the playoffs, but I can’t worry what happens after that,” Grady said. “But I feel no more or no less pressure this year than I did last.”

The school’s backers say Loyola does not rebuild, it reloads, pointing to the team’s 45-6 record over the past four years. The sophomore team has been undefeated since 1985.

This season’s mainstay is senior kicker John Stonehouse, who averaged 42 yards a punt last year and has kicked a 50-yard field goal.

The big question is at quarterback, where junior Clelio Boccato takes over. Boccato has never taken a snap with the varsity.

“I know I say we’re going to be down every year, but this year I really mean it,” Grady said. “We’ve got some talented players, but we’re young, small and slow. Our schedule won’t allow us time to come into our own.”

The Cubs open Friday at Mission Viejo, which has one of the highest-regarded teams in Division II.

The Angelus League, in which Loyola competes, figures to be talented once again.

La Puente Bishop Amat, led by senior running back Scott Fields, has won 35 of its past 37 league games and won or shared in six consecutive league titles. With 12 starters returning from a 9-2 team, the Lancers are a favorite.

Santa Ana Mater Dei also could be a factor behind quarterback Billy Blanton, who passed for 2,262 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

The real strength in the Southland, however, is expected to be in the Citrus Belt League. Rialto Eisenhower and Fontana, which hovered near the top of the polls most of last season, appear strong again this year.

Many consider Eisenhower, ranked No. 1 by The Times, to be the top team in the state. Fifteen starters return from a team that finished 11-1, a record that included victories over Carson and Fontana. Senior running back Omar Love averaged nine yards a carry as a junior and should see the ball more this year.

The Golden League also is worth watching. Quartz Hill has six returning starters, led by senior running back Erik Thomas. Thomas rushed for 1,449 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

The big question at Canyon Country Canyon is whether the off-season dramatics of Coach Harry Welch will have any effect. Welch was suspended by the Southern Section in July for 5 1/2 months for conducting an illegal practice. He took the case to court and was awarded an injunction last month. Welch’s teams have won seven league titles in nine years but will have to work some magic this season.

In Division II, Mission Viejo, Glendale and Paramount are expected to battle defending champion Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo. Glendale’s hopes hang with senior running back Pathon Rucker, who rushed for 1,878 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior. Paramount is 38-3 the past three years.

Esperanza is a heavy favorite in Division III. The defending champions have won 14 consecutive games and have 10 starters returning. Newhall Hart has one of the area’s top quarterbacks in senior Ryan Connors.

Other teams to watch include Etiwanda in Division IV, Rosemead in Division V, Sunny Hills in Division VI, Arroyo Grande in Division VII and Temecula Valley in Division VIII.

In Division IX, defending champion Whittier Christian is expected to battle Tehachapi.

Van Nuys Montclair Prep will not have a chance to defend its Division X title because the team is serving the first of a three-year playoff suspension for illegal recruitment.

Southern Section

TIMES PRESEASON POLL

No. School Div. 1990 1. Eisenhower I 11-1-0 2. Loyola I 12-2-0 3. Quartz Hill I 11-3-0 4. Esperanza III 14-0-0 5. Bishop Amat I 9-2-0 6. Fontana I 10-2-0 7. Paramount II 13-1-0 8. Mission Viejo II 11-2-0 9. Edison I 9-2 10. Etiwanda IV 13-0 11. Glendale II 10-1 12. CC Canyon I 11-2-0 13. Arroyo Grande VII 11-2-0 14. Hawthorne III 10-3 15. LB Wilson I 6-4-1